How to brew coffee: Even if you are a complete newbie

You love coffee, but your regular trips to the local coffee shop are costing you a fortune.

Besides the strain it’s putting on your budget, you’re feeling guilty about all those disposable cups that are so bad for the environment.

You’d like to try making your own coffee, but you just don’t know where to start.

Should you use whole beans or instant?

Colombian or Javan?

Brew it on the stove or use a coffee maker?

And what on earth is a French press?

It can certainly be a confusing topic – but before you give up and dig out the loyalty card for your nearest coffee shop, don’t despair!

We’re here to help.

As dedicated coffee lovers, we want to share with you our top, tried and tested tips for how to brew coffee even if you are a complete newbie.

Just follow our brewed coffee recipe and step-by-step instructions, and you’ll soon be sipping away at a top quality beverage in the comfort of your own home.

So read on, and prepare to say goodbye to Starbucks forever!

What you will need to follow this tutorial

coffee beans

Coffee grinder

coffee brewer

Paper coffee filters

Digital Scales

Kitchen timer

Your choice of coffee beans

There aren’t any right or wrong answers here.

If you like your brewed coffee Starbucks style – or from any other coffee shop – why not start with one of their own blends?

coffee beans

But don’t be afraid to experiment if you find the taste isn’t exactly right: the beans are the single most important component of your coffee, so it’s worth investing some time to find the type that’s right for you.

Whatever kind you choose, make sure you buy them whole rather than pre-ground for the best flavor.

Coffee grinder

There are various types of grinder on the market.

Blade grinders are fast and cheap, but they produce an inconsistent particle size and aren’t practical if you’re looking to grind only enough coffee for a single cup.

Coffee grinder

A burr grinder is only slightly more expensive and will give much better results.

The particle size can be adjusted from coarse to fine, and if you want to speed things up you can invest in a version that’s powered by an electric motor.

Pour over coffee brewer

Drip coffee versus pour over is one of today’s hottest coffee debates.

Both can give great results, but even though we grew up with drip brewed coffee we believe pour over has the edge for its smooth, rich taste.

Since there’s no need for electricity, the process is also completely portable.

coffee brewer

Some pour over devices incorporate their own container, but if you choose one that doesn’t you’ll have the flexibility of sitting it on top of either a mug or carafe, depending on how much coffee you want.

Choose a stainless steel brewer for a great combination of durability and thermal efficiency.

How to brew coffee: step by step instructions

Step 1: Bring at least 600 grams of water to the boil

If you’re in a hard water area, ensure your kettle is free from lime scale, and if there’s anything about the taste of your tap water you don’t like, consider using bottled water instead.

Pro tip:

Getting the right water temperature is crucial. For the best flavor, aim for 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit – you can use a cooking thermometer if you want to be precise. Otherwise, simply boil the kettle at the start of the coffee making process and leave it to cool for a couple of minutes to help ensure you get the smooth, sweet flavor you’re looking for.

Mike Jones, a barista at New York based Third Rail Coffee, has made a Youtube video showing how to get the perfect temperature for your brew.

Step 2: Grind 30 grams of beans to the coarseness of kosher salt

Before you start, make sure your grinder is sparkling clean to prevent stale coffee grounds impairing the flavor.

The quantities given here are for dark roasted beans. You can change the brewed coffee ratio for a lighter roast.

we recommend 23 grams of coffee per 350 grams of water.

If you’re not sure how to measure coffee, follow the example of specialist coffee shops and use scales to weigh out quantities; it’s more precise than trying to measure by volume.

This video from Transcend Coffee founder Poul Mark shows how to measure and grind your coffee.

Pro tip:

​Too coarse a grind will leave your coffee tasting sour, whilst too fine and it will be bitter. This infographic from the I Love Coffee blog matches grind size to brewing method for the best results.

Step 3: Rinse out a filter and place it in the brewer

Paper filters are cheap and easy to use, but don’t be tempted to skimp too much.

You’ll get the best results from oxygen-bleached or dioxin-free paper filters, and consider purchasing recyclable versions to be kinder to the environment.

Pro tip:

Avoid dust, chemicals or other contaminants spoiling your perfect cup of coffee by rinsing the filter first. There’s no need to soak it: just run it under a hot tap or pour hot water through it into the cup you’ll be using for your coffee and then rinse away. The latter approach will also warm the cup, helping keep your coffee at the right temperature while it brews.

Ensure you check the instructions for your filter, as some need to be folded before use.